What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Counselor position at Seneca Family of Agencies?
Overview
Passionate about helping youth and families? Join us as a Youth Counselor and provide life-changing support, counseling, and crisis intervention where it matters most—right in your community.
As the Youth Counselor, you will provide family-centered mental health counseling, support, crisis intervention, and case management services for children and their families. Youth Counselors provides care planning for children transitioning from institutional settings to family-based environments. Serving youth ages 5–19 working closely with caregivers, multidisciplinary teams, and community partners to create stability and healing opportunities. Grounded in authentic relationships, cultural responsiveness, and best practices, they provide support in homes, schools, and other community settings to meet families where they are. With a commitment to collaboration, crisis intervention, and advocacy they are members of a multi-disciplinary team and provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive services in the community at times and locations convenient to the family. Availability to commit to at least one 24-hour crisis response shift per month is required, as well as travel within a 90-mile radius of the Concord office.
ABOUT WRAPAROUND
Seneca offers "Wraparound" services to children and youth susceptible of placement, and to their families. The Wraparound programs are strengths-based, family-driven, flexible, and creative, with the goal of helping the family develop the skills and supports to prevent or reduce the possibility of out-of-home placement of their child. A family-based team addresses the needs of the entire family, not just the child of focus. This family-based team consists of family members, Seneca's Therapists, Support Counselors, Family Partners, Facilitators and other community members who have an important role in the family.
ABOUT SENECA
Seneca Family of Agencies is committed to providing traditionally marginalized communities a network of outstanding mental health, community based, and educational services. We are committed to building a diverse staff. Our programs are deeply engaged in conversations and trainings on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in order to bring equity and justice to the youth and families we serve.
Responsibilities
- Provide counseling and case management services for enrolled youth and their families.
- Support client and family to connect to natural supports and community-based resources.
- Provide crisis intervention and other mental health services as needed at client homes, schools, and other community locations.
- Participate in all treatment reviews, program staff meetings, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings when necessary.
- Complete mental health notes and other paperwork, and complete service tracking documentation as indicated.
- Assist with planning arrangements and transportation for school, therapy appointments, and court hearings as needed.
- Attend team meetings, weekly trainings, individual and group supervisions, and adhere to clinical best practices.
- Maintain a flexible work schedule.
- Participate in providing emergency on-call response as scheduled.
- Utilize crisis communication and de-escalation techniques as per Seneca's crisis response training.
Qualifications
REQUIRED
- Experience/education requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree OR
- Associate’s degree or equivalent 1 year of applicable work experience OR
- High school diploma/GED 2 years of applicable work experience
- Applicable experience includes any paid or unpaid experience working with youth or families, or working in the social services field
- At least 21 years of age.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Own vehicle, Valid California driver's license and insurability with Seneca's automobile policy.
- Clearance of TB test, fingerprints, and any other mandatory State/Federal licensing or certification requirements.
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
PREFERRED
- Bilingual Spanish/English.
- Experience working with children/youth and families with complex and enduring needs.
- Experience implementing family-focused services.
SKILLS OF AN IDEAL CANDIDATE
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse population and workforce.
- Strong organizational, time management, and writing skills.
Schedule
- Full-time
- Tuesday- Saturday, 9:30am - 6pm
- Hybrid; Services will predominantly occur in-person within the Contra Costa County and up to a 90 mile radius of our Concord office with the opportunity to complete some of your responsibilities remotely
Benefits
- Starting at $23.34 - $25.84 per hour, commensurate with experience
- Salary increases each year
- Additional compensation upon passing a language proficiency exam
- Mileage reimbursement
- Stipends provided to staff members participating in the emergency on-call shifts
- 5 weeks of Paid Time off and 11 Paid Holidays
- Comprehensive benefits package:
- Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, fertility coverage
- Long-term disability, family leave, and life insurance
- 50% paid premiums for dependents
- 403b Retirement Plan
- Employer-paid Employee Assistance Plan
- Seneca is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer
- Scholarship opportunities, ongoing training, and professional development opportunities
- Promotional opportunities across the agency in California and Washington
Keywords: Support Counselor, Family Support, Youth Support, Case Management, Non Profit, School, Mental Health, Crisis Intervention, Counseling, Social Services, Psychology, Social Work, Counselor, Wraparound
Salary : $23 - $26
